A new ranking of the world’s billionaires puts Mexican telco mogul Carlos Slim ahead of Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

A resurgent Nasdaq has helped the geek crowd regain its mojo on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s richest people.

Top of the heap is Mexican telecommunications monopolist Carlos Slim, who moved a nose (well, $US500 million) ahead of previous champ Bill Gates.

Mr Slim’s wallet is about to get a little fatter, too. The mobile mogul recently lent the New York Times $US250 million at a nosebleed 14%.

Not that Mr Gates is hurting. Although now number two, the Microsoft co-founder saw his wealth increase by a tidy $US13 billion during 2009.